The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-14
PITTsBURGS FIRE.
Heavy Losses Inflicted on the Masonic
Fraternity.

heavy Losses lnulCCeQ ON Ln6 masonic
Fraternity.
PITTsBuRG, Aug. 13-The buildings de-
stroyed by the big fire last night were the
Masonic Temple the Hamilton block, Camp
bell q Dix's carpet warehouse and a num-
Der of tenement houses. The upper floors
of Schmidt & Fridays magnificent nine
story structure were Quilted and the balance
of the building water-soaked. The Dis
patch and Pennu Press buildings were
badly damaged by water. The fire origin
ated in the carpet store of III. Holtzman,
located in the cellar of the Masonic build
ing and underneath the dry goods store
of Campbell & Dix 1t is said that
party of gentlemen were sitting III the up
holstery department of Holmans establish
ment when one of their number lighted a
cigar and thoughtlessly threw the match
into a waste paper basket. The contents
of the basket were of an inflammable char
acter, and in few seconds the entire room
was ablaze Efforts were made to extin-
guish the flames, but the light material
burned too rapidly.
AN OLD BUILDING.
The Masonic Hall was the oldest building
on Fifth avenue 1t was built fifty years
ago by the Allegheny Engine Company, a
volunteer fire company. They occupied the
building. The hall was occupied by Fox's
theatre and subsequently as a museum.
The fourth floor was used by the Masonic
fraternity over forty years. The floor was
divided into five departments-the blue
room, the chapter room and three ante
rooms. The former was furnished at an ex-
pense of $4,000 The furniture in the chap
ter room cost $4,000 In one of the ante
rooms was stored parapherpalia valued at
S1S n1n THIRTY lO1pnS mat in tho hol
and all their equipments We're destroyed.
Among the articles priced highly by the
Masons of this city was picture of
Judge McCandless, one of the
greatest representatives of Ma
sons in this section. The walls
of the blue room were also adorned by por-
traits of all the past Grand Masters Of Pitts
burg, which were destroyed. Many of these
cannot be replaced. A number of masonS
were in the room guarding against intruders
until forced away by the flames. Deputy
Grand Master, Peter G. Shidle gazed on the
destruction of the building with tears
streaming down his cheeks. John Keefe of
Allegheny, who was on the building, assist
ing the firemen, fell and was fatally injured.
THE LOSS LESS THAN $500,0O0
A careful estimate puts the loss at less
than $500,000 The walls of the Hamilton
and Schmidt & Friday buildings are found
to be IN good cQndltlon, and Their losses VIII
therefore be much smaller than the first
estimates.
The insurance on the Hamilton building
is $130, 600 and the loss viii be about S75, 900.
Schmidt & Friday lose about $4,000.
The insurance on their building and stock
is $3.50, 600
Mr.. Hoffman places his loss at $4,000.
Campbell q Dix estimate their loss at
$175, 900, with Sl39, ,250 insurance.
The damage to the Penny Press will be
about $4,000. The company is fully in
Sured.
The damage to the Dispatch will proba-
bly, be $4,000.
Masonic Hall is totally destroyed, and the
loss will not be far from $75, 900. The in
surance is $4,000.
The $50 tenants of the Hamilton and the
Schmidt and Friday buildings lose in the
aggregate 100000. The total insurance
was $500, 900